Seattle Mayor Norm Rice sits with Highline President Shirley Gordon before the 1990 commencement ceremony where he would receive the college’s first Distinguished Alumnus Award. Rice attended Highline during the 1968–69 academic year.

Eligible nominees are former students who attended Highline five or more years ago (prior to the 2012–13 academic year) and have made a significant contribution through community service, noteworthy professional achievement and/or recognized leadership.

Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of Highline.

Nominees will be asked to submit a résumé and personal profile questionnaire for review by a campus selection committee.

The Thunderword, Highline’s student newspaper, reported on a speech that Seattle Mayor Norm Rice gave to the Washington Trustees Association of Community Colleges (“HCC grad Norm Rice refuses to let dream die,” June 1, 1990, page 2). Rice was quoted as saying, “If it weren’t for HCC I would not be standing in front of you today as the mayor of the most difficult city. Dreams do come true.”[Click on image to enlarge.]